Schools offered cash to reduce traffic congestion

The solution to reduce peak time traffic congestion is simple, affordable and would also provide desperately needed financial help for cash-strapped schools in Christchurch.

Grant Mangin and Sharon Torstonson, Stand Up Christchurch candidates for Fendalton-Waimairi, are proposing offering cash incentives to schools that reduce the number of students travelling to school by car.

Mangin says the idea for the Travel Smart Schools programme came to him after reading the council’s research on traffic congestion.

“Council’s research shows 34% of morning peak time travel is education related”, says Mangin, “with over half the children at primary school being driven by car, with similar numbers being driven or driving to secondary school. That’s why congestion disappears during the school holidays. If travel to schools by private motor vehicles was reduced, congestion could be reduced saving our economy time and money, and decreasing the cost of maintaining roads.”

The Travel Smart Schools programme provides cash incentives for schools to work with students and their parents to reduce the number of cars transporting children to schools, thereby reducing peak-time congestion.

Schools will be offered cash rewards based upon the percentage decrease in car travel to school they achieve over a set period (three terms). For example, a 10% decrease could be $20,000; a 50% decrease could be worth $100,000 with a maximum payout of $200,000 for that school year, says Torstonson.

“Schools that get their students (and parents) to cycle, walk, take the bus or car-pool will receive substantial cash rewards – enough to employ additional staff, purchase resources or support sports teams”, says Torstonson. “This is a much easier way for schools to raise money than raffles, sausage sizzles or car boot sales.”

If schools persuade their students not to drive/be driven to school, congestion will decrease saving ratepayers time and money on their travel, saving businesses lost productivity, speeding up freight and making the roads safer for cycling and walking. With more students walking and cycling, the health of our youth should improve – reversing the increase in child obesity.

Mangin says a pilot study with schools on main roads, such as Burnside High, Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, and St Andrew’s College would confirm the value of the programme.

“By reducing their students’ travel by car, the community will benefit from reduced congestion and schools will benefit from a substantial cash reward”, says Mangin. “If the schools aren’t successful it will cost ratepayers nothing, so we’ve everything to gain and nothing to lose from giving the Travel Smart Schools programme a go.”

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